Pietta Revolver Le Mat Army Steel .44 (LMA44)

Le Mat Army .44 – an iconic and rare firearm from the era of the American Civil War, a must-have for every black powder firearm collector. This extraordinary revolver is capable of firing nine shots with standard .44 caliber projectiles, along with a tenth shot from a secondary smoothbore barrel chambered in 20GA for buckshot, which also serves as the cylinder axis. Primarily used by the Confederate forces, it was the favored sidearm of many renowned Southern generals, including P.G.T. Beauregard, J.E.B. Stuart, Braxton Bragg, and T.J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Due to its battlefield value, captured LeMat revolvers were also appreciated by high-ranking Union officers. The weapon also saw service during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71. In modern pop culture, the Le Mat revolver gained renewed fame as the weapon of choice for the Man in Black in the acclaimed series Westworld.

This is a caplock, front-loading black powder revolver. The design was patented in 1856 in the United States by French firearms designer and aristocrat Jean Francois Le Mat. The Army variant features a rounded trigger guard, barrel-to-frame mounting via a screw, and a lanyard ring.

Frame – steel, open-top configuration, blued finish. The color case-hardened hammer includes a selector switch, allowing the user to strike the percussion cap on either the main cylinder or the shotgun barrel nipple.

Grip – all Le Mat models are equipped with checkered grips made from natural walnut wood, providing a firm and secure hold. Deep grooves facilitate accurate shooting even when the hands are dirty with powder and grease. The grips resist slipping and are oil-treated to enhance the wood's color, highlight the grain, and preserve its natural look.

Cylinder – 9-shot, front-loading. Decorated with floral motif engraving. Blued finish.

Le Mat revolvers were manufactured in three primary variants: Cavalry (LMC44), Army (LMA44), and Navy (LMN44).

Early production models were chambered in .42 caliber and 16GA for the smoothbore barrel. During the Civil War, calibers were reduced to .35 and .55 respectively, resulting in lighter weight but also introducing logistical challenges. The most common ammunition calibers during the war were .36 and .44, which meant Le Mat users often had to cast their own bullets – an inconvenient task during frontline service. Eventually, the revolver was adapted to use standard calibers, but due to the Union naval blockade, few units reached Confederate hands.

Technical specifications:
Item number: LMA44
Model: 1856 Le Mat Army

Finish: Black
Caliber: .44 and 20GA
Action type: Percussion caplock
Cylinder: 9-shot (.44 caliber), single-shot (20GA)
Trigger mechanism: SA (single action)
Barrel shape: Octagonal (.44) / Oval (20GA)
Overall length: 340.36 mm / 13.4"
Barrel length: 171.45 mm / 6.75"
Twist rate: .40 cal (1:30")
Weight: 1600 g / 56.44 oz

Frame type: Steel

Grip: Walnut wood
Manufacturer: Pietta, Italy

Prepared by: Sharg®, exclusive importer